Latch mechanism



T. VIGMOSTAD LATCH MECHANISM April 6, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June l0, 1949 JNVENTOR.

April 6, 1954 T. VIGMOSTAD 2,674,480

LATCH MECHANISM Filed June lO, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y l".v

E. BY

Patented Apr. 6, 1954 iJNlTED STATES izf'iiENl OFFICE LATCH' MECI-ANISMr Trygv'e Vigmost'ad, Detroit; Mich.,y assigner to Briggs Manufacturing Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of'Michigan Application J une' 10, 1949,l Serial'No. 98,306

12.(3laims. l

The present invention relates-to a vehicle body of the convertible type having a collapsible or foldabletop and in` particular tolimproved latch means forlocking the top-in the closed or cover position to 1igidparts of the body structure.

Important objects ofV the presentv invention are to-provide a motor vehicle bodyof the convertible typehavingimproved means rfor positively locking and unlocking the convertible top to the body; and to provide such'a locking means which is simple in construction, safe and dependable in operation, and comparativelyinexpensive to manufacture-and install.

Another object of the invention to provide an improved locking meansl between a convertible motor vehicle-body andthe collapsible or foldable top thereof which'is-readily accessible for unlocking from the interior of the body and-which automatically locks upon movement oi the top to the closure'or cover position.

Another object is to provide an'irnproved loci;- ing meansiof the;r foregoing character including a plurality of locking-devices whichmay be quick'- ly andeasily operated fromthe drivers seati by means of a single control lever or handle and which assures a positivesecure locking between the topandbody in the closedlor cover position of the top.

Still another objectV is-to provide'such a construction wherein tliehandle'is normally yield'- ingly held-in a comparatively inccnspicuous out of the way rest position; being readily accessible to the operator for' operation and'being thereafter returned automatically to the rest position inde*- pendently of the locking mea-ns upon being released by the operator. Accordingly a projecting handlel intheoperative positionlis avoided'at alltimes except when the same is initially employed to unlock the top.

Other objects of this invention-null appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being hadto the accompanying draw'- ings forming a part oi this specification wherein like reference characters-designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Details of apref'erred embodimentofthe present invention arezshownby Way of examplein thei drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is` a fragmentary perspective view ofI a portion of theA interior of the convertiblel type vehicle body; showing thecoiivertible top header and the manually vcontrolled lever for-unlocking thev lock'mean's ofthe present l'ivention.l

Fig. 2 is a"fragmentaryenlargedsectiontaken in the directionofi'the'arrows' substantially along bnl theline2-2 oiFig; l, showing the lock mechan-isrniinlthe locked' position.

Fig; 3i' is `a verticali center line section through selected. pivotal connections of the operating mechanism taken substantially in the direction of thearrows.` along the broken line 3---i` of Fig-25.

Fig..v 41 is a fragmentary vertical section taken in th'edirection of the arrows substantially along the line'4 is-4101i Fig. 2r.

Fig. is: a fragmentary enlargedsection-similar tofFig'. 25 showing the lock mechanism in the unlocked position.

Fig. 6. isa fragmentary vertical section taken ini thefdirection of` the arrow'ssubstantially along the broken line 6*-6 ofFig. 5;

Eig. 7 isla fragmentary enlarged section taken in the direction ofthe arrows along the line 1 1 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentarysection taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 3-i8rof Fig. 2.

Before explaining the present invention in detail it is: to be understood that the invention is not' limited inv its application to* the details: of constructionand arrangement of parts. illustrated y in- 1 the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable ofV other embodiments and offbeingpracticedor carried out-in'various ways. Also. it--isfto bei understood that' the phraseology or terminology employed herein is' forv the purposel of description andV not' of limitation.

Referringftothe drawings. a convertible type automobile body indicated generally b'y thel numera-lVv lili's shownwith aiV windshield I 2 located Within a 'rigidfV-typeA traine or 'casing i4? suitably secured to the body Il) to comprise an integral structure therewith. The body itl is also provided witha collapsible or foldable top*` i6 vof any suitablel material, such' asl canvasl foi" example, which may be suitably" secured "in accordance with conventional" practice-"to folding sider railsf I8 of the vtop frame-'and to a` forward rigid transverse top header indicated'gener'ally by the numeral.

The' latteris suitably secured atl its' opposite ends to the forward ends of the side` rails' I8 and is preferably a' hollow construction comprising upper" and lower sheet steel 'stampings '22 and 2'4 respectively, Fig. 3`. In general, the stampings Z'Z'al'n'd 24"ext`end the length of the header 2i] and are shaped to'forrn' a closed b'ox section of'any suitable *shape and" dimensions adequate to kcontain the locker lat'chmechanism describedhere'- inafteran'd'to conform t'o the structuralrequire'- ments andstyle of the vehicle body".l

The lower" stamping', 2tL is generally L-shaped in section to provide a base portion and an upright back portion and is secured along its longitudinal edges, as be welding for example, at 25 and 28 to the longitudinal edges of the upper stampings 22, Fig. 3. The exterior surface of the latter is generally arcuate from front to rear and is provided with forward and rearward channels 22a and 22h respectively which extend longitudinally of the header 2tand are adapted to receive tacking strips, not shown, to which the flexible top material i is tacked in accordance with conventional practice.

As indicated in Fig. 2, the header il@ is of the conventional flat V-type conforming to the divided V-type windshield i2 and having arms of reduced width extending laterally and rearwardly from a portion of maximum width at the apex of the V. The upper portion of the windshield frame I4 provides a rigid seat or abutment, to which the base portion of the header stamping 24 is seated when the convertible top is in the raised or closed position, and is provided with a fixed upright central dowel or pin Eil and a pair of fixed upright lateral doivels 32 located near the ends of the frame i4. A central perforation 3| reinforced by a grommet i3 is provided in the base portion of the stamping 2li to receive the dowel 3E. Similar perforations 33 are providedin the lateral base portions of the stamping 24 to receive the dowels S2. Further details of the body and top frame construction are not pertinent to an understanding of the present invention and are accordingly not described herein.

In accordance with the objects of the present invention, improved locking or latching means are provided for engaging the dowels 3i) and 32, whereby the header may be conveniently and positively locked tightly and rigidly to the upper seat or abutment provided by the frame i4. The

locking or latching means in the preferred con- 1.1.2

struction shown employs a pair of tubular locking rods 34, each extending longitudinally within one of each of the hollow V-arrns of the header 2li and terminating short of the corresponding dowel 32. inserted into the distal end of each tubular rod t4 is the stem or shank Se of a wedge member 38, which projects from the arm 34 and tapers to a pointed nose adapted for insertion into or withdrawal from a corresponding tapered wedge opening 46 provided within the adjacent dowel 32 upon lateral extension or retraction respectively of the rod 34, Fig. 8. The shank 36 is secured within the tubular end of the arm rod 34 by a suitable screw or retaining pin 42, Fig. 8.

Operation of the rods 34 is effected by pivotal movement of a coupling 44, Fig. 2, pivotal about a fixed upright stud 46 within the enlarged portion of the V-oase of the header 26 and being also pivotally connected at ESL and 48E. on opposite sides of the pivot to the flattened proximal ends SSL and EUR respectively of .the rods 34 within the left and right V-arms respectively of the header 20.

Each arm 34 is supported and guided in its retracting and extending movements by a pair of similar spaced upright brackets t2 and 54 having leg portions 56 and 58 respectively secured to the base portion of the lower stamping 24, as by Welding for example. The brackets 52 and 54 of each pair may conveniently comprise sheet metal stampings and are formed with perforations 60 and S2 respectively enclosed by flange collars 64 and 66 respectively through which pass the rod 34. As indicated in Fig. 2, the perforations 60 and 62 are preferably slightly elongate from front to rear of the automobile body to permit limited forward and rearward movement as required of the arms 34 in their operation. The vertical diameters of the perforations G0 and 62 are determined to minimize vertical play or movement of the rod 34 passing therethrough and are no larger than required to permit freedom of longitudinal movement of the rods 34.

In order to assure a positive rattle proof engagement between the dowels 32 and the wedge tips 38 within the openings 4l) provided therefor, each arm 34 is resiliently urged to its laterally extending position by a coil spring 68 under compression between the upright portion of the bracket 52 and an annular seat 'it of a retaining bracket 'i2 suitably secured by means of a pin 'I4 to the arm 34 at a location intermediate the brackets E2 and 54. The proximal end of each spring 68 is seated against the upright portion of the corresponding bracket E2 above and below the perforation 6i) therein. By virtue of the force of the spring 68 exerted on the arm 34, and the fact that the latter and attached wedge tip 38 are held against vertical movement within the perforations 60 and 62, the cam action between the inclined upper surfaces of the tips 38 and the orifices 40 will force the header 20 in the closed position, Fig. 8, firmly downward toward the abutment surface of the frame I4.

The aforementioned pivot pin 46 for the coupling 44 extends upright from a raised platform 'i6 of a generally L-shaped supporting bracket T8. The latter is adapted to conform to the interior contour of the lower header stamping 24 and is suitably secured thereto as by welding for example. The lower portion of the pin 46 projects through the platform 'i6 and is peened or expanded against the underside thereof at 80. Above the platform i6 and around the body of the pin 4S is an annular spacer 82 on which the body of the coupling 44 is supported in a desired position with respect to the central pin or dowel 3l).

Referring to Fig. 4, the dowel 30 is provided with a notch 84 in one side thereof having an upper cam surface 86 inclined outward from the base of the notch 84. Projecting forward from the coupling 44 in the locking position is a locking arm 8S, Figs. 2 and 4, having a declined cam extension 3l) adapted to be inserted into the notch 84 and interlocked with the inclined upper surface 86 thereof so as to assist the wedge tips 38 in drawing the header 20 downward and locking the same to the upper abutment surface of the frame I4 upon closure of the top, as described hereinafter. Accordingly, upon counterclockwise pivoting of the coupling 44 from the position of Fig. 2 to the position of Fig. 5, the connected .latching mechanism including the arm E3 and rods 34 move from the latching to the unlatching position.

Also integral with the coupling 44 and extending perpendicularly to a radial element thereof is an upright edge or flange located substantially on the side of the pivot 46 opposite the locking arm 88 and providing a vertical abutment or shoulder Q2, a horizontal ledge 94 at the top of the shoulder 92, and a detent shoulder or hook portion S6 extending upright from the ledge 94 at a location suitably spaced from the shoulder 92 in the general direction of counterclockwise pivotal movement of the coupling 44. A cam edge 98 declines from the upper portion of the shoulder 95 to the plane surface of the coupling 44 in the aforesaid' general direction of counterclook- Wise pivotal movement, Figs. 2 and 7.

In order to engage and reta-in the shoulder 06 in the unlatching position, a spring strip or resilient keeper member 00A is 4suitably secured at one end to the pin vand extends-'radially therefrom to the upper end of a vertical-1y movable operator |02. In the present instance, the pin 46 passes through a perforation in the aforesaid endv of the spring strip l|00 so asto anchor that end of the spring '|00' against movement. The other end ofthe spring strip |00 comprisesfa yoke |04 having arms thereof spaced by the operator `H02 and formed around the opposed ends ofL a retaining pin |06. in such a manner asto provide an .elongated lost motion loop |08 within which the pin |06 is lretained andv movable longitudinally of the strip |00'. The pin |06 extendshorizontally throughand projects from opposite sides ofthe upper portion 'of the operator |02 to complete a.coupling between vvthe latter andthe spring strip |00. The lower `portion of the operator |02 passes downward through an -annular-guide Aeyelet H0 which projects vertically upward through an opening provided therefor within the lower header stamping 24 and' is suitably secured to the latter by means of a base flange ||2.

lThe spring |001is1 biased for normally holding the operator |02 in a downward or detent position with its lower 'extremity projected below the base portion of the header stamping 24. An abutment ||'4 preferably of rubber or resilient material is suitably secured tothe upper portion of the frame |I4 underlying the operator |02 so as to force the same upward within the guide eyelet y|'|.0 upon closure 'of Athe vehicle top i6. The stamping 2'4 is recessed at IIB to receive the abutment I4 when the header 20 is closed against the frame 4llLFig. 6.

Referring particularly `to Figs. `2 and' 5, it is to 7 be observed .from the .construction described thus .far lthat .the proximal ends L and '50B of the left and, right locking rods '34 respectively are pivotally secured to the .coupling 441 at points 48L and 48E on substantially opposite sides of the pivot. 46.. .Also substantially diametrically .opposedand at'locations intermediate the Vpivotal connections 48L and 48Rare the locking arm 88 and detent .shoulder 96.

The above mechanism is preferably arranged so that upon pivoting the coupling 44 substantially a quarter turn counterclockwise about the pivot 40, both rods 34 will ,be retracted against the tension of the coil springs 6.8 toan unlatched or unlocked position, whereat the wedge tips 38 are withdrawn from `interlocking engagement with the wedge openings 40 of the lateral studs 32. Simultaneously, the cam edge or flange 90 `of the arm 88 is withdrawn from interlocking engagement with the cam edge 86 of `the central pin Y30. In the same action, the declined cam edge 03 under-rides the spring strip |00 so asv to position thefdetent shoulder 06 forward of the spring strip |00. Thus as the header '20 is. raised from its closedposition abutting the frame i4, the spring |00 will move the operator |02 downward through the eyelet ||;0 to the detent position, whereat the portion of the spring |00 adjacent the shoulder 96 will be vbelow the .upper edge of the latter,y Fig. 6,.t'o,prevent clockwise return of the coupling 44 to the llocked .po-

sition. AUpon closure of .the .convertible top I6, .so that the .header 2.0 snugly abuts the frame 4.4, the operator |02 .will contact the pad ||'4 and raise the spring |00 above lthe shoulderSB 'bracket portions i3'2 and |34,

6 to perm-it automatic return' of the. coupling 44 to the locked position as discussed hereinafter.

Actua-tion of the pivotal coupling 44` .to the unlatching position is readily accomplished in the present 'instanceby means of acontrol lever H0 located externally to the header .20 and manually operative by the driver or front. .seat .passenger. Referring particularly to Figs. 2, l3 .and 5, `the handle `||-8 is provided with `a central rounded `body portion pivotally connected rearwardly Aof the header 20 to a pair of vertically spaced upper and lower brackets |22 `and |24 respectively vby means ofV a vertical pivot pin |26. The forward portion of the flange |22 extends through aligned openings |26 and |30 within the upright portions of the header stamping 24y and reinforcing bracket T8 respectively and bends upward in a flange |32 adjacent the forward or inner surface of the reinforcing bracket 18. Similarly the lower bracket |24 extends through the aligned openings |20 and |30 below the handle body portion |20 and bends downward in a flange |34 adjacent the forward surface of the reinforcing bracket i8. The-major portion of the rounded handle body |20 isvconcentric with the axis of the pivot |26 and is enclosed within a housing |30 having an opening |30 therein through which the lever ||8 extends into the vehicle body, Fig. 1. The housing |36, and the upright portions of the header stamping "24y and bracket 1,8 are suitably secured together as for example by a plurality of screws |40.

Integral with the body |20- and extending inward therefrom at a generally obtuse angle to the lever H6 is a lever arm |42 which is pivotally connected by apin 44 to one end of a connecting link |46, Figs. '2, 5, and 6i. The other end of the link |46 is pivotally vconnected by a pin |40 to one end of a driving link |50. The other end Vof the 'link |50 is apertured to t over the yupper end of the pivot stud 46, Fig. 3, for pivotal connection therewith.

The link. |50 is pivotally secured to the stud 46 above the coupling 44 and below the spring strip |00 at the desired ,height to abut the shoulder .92 in driving engagement therewith as explained below. The link 50 is spaced Vfrom the spring |00 by a nut |52 screwed onto an upper screw threadedjportion |53 of the pin 46. interposed between the link |50 and' coupling -44 is a washer |54.

The disposition and dimensions of the link l 50, activatingarm |42., and link |46 are determined so that the outer end `of the link |50 is positioned adjacent theabutment or shoulder 02 of the coupling 4'4', whereby the latter will be driven counterclockwise by the link |50 upon clockwise piv- AOtingof the handle ||8 about the pivot |25. As

indicated in Figs. 2 and 5, upon clockwise pivotingof therhandle H3, the connected `links le@ and |.50are driven counterclookwise. The outer end-of .the link L50 abutting the shoulder 92' will then.drivethelatterand thecoupling 44 counterclookwisearound the stud 46 so as to position the aforementioned detent shoulder 96 forward of the .spring strip |00, whereat upon downward movement of the operator |02, the spring |00 `will block the return or latching movement of the coupling 44.

Return Vof the lever |8 from the position shown in Fig. 5 .to the restposition shown in Fig. 2 is permitted independently of the pivotal movement ofthe coupling 44 by means of a clock'type spring |56 having one end engaged within a transverse slot |58 extending longitudinally of the upper portion of the stud 46. From the slot |58, the spring |56 completes one or more counterclockwise spirals under tension around the body of the stud 46 and terminates in a hook attachment around the upper flanged extension |48a of the pin |48, urging the links |50 and |46 clockwise about the pivot stud 46. Thus after the handle ||8 is moved to the unlatching position of Fig. and is released by the operator, it will be resiliently returned to the initial rest position of Fig. 2. The end portion of the coiled spring |56 inserted within the slot |58 rests upon the strip spring |00 and is suitably retained from above by a washer |60 and nut |62 screwed on the upper threaded extension |53 of the stud 46.

It is apparent from the foregoing that when the convertible top |6 is in the closed position, with the header abutting the upper portion of the frame I4, the fixed locking pins or dowels and 32 will project into the hollow interior of the header 20 through their corresponding openings 3| and 33 in position for engagement respectively by the cam edge 90 of the locking arm 88 and the wedge tips 38 when the latch mechanism is in the latched position, i. e., in the extended position of the arms 34 and the clockwise position of the coupling 44, Fig. 2. In this position, the lower portion of the operator |02 is in abutting engagement with the pad ||4 and f the spring strip |00 is in the elevated or releasing position, Fig. 6. At this position of the latching mechanism, the header 2|! will be positively and securely latched to the frame i4 by virtue of the aforementioned interlocking camming engagement between the wedge tips 38 and openings 40 therefor within the dowels 32, and between the cam flange 90 and inclined surface 86 of the dowel 30. The tension of the coil springs 68 is exerted continuously to extend the locking rods 34 and hold the same forcibly in locking interengagement with the dowels 32. Play and rattling of the rods 34 and also counterclockwise` rotation of the coupling 44 from the latching position are thus effectively prevented.

Unlatching of the header 20 from the frame |4 is readily permitted by the driver or other front seat occupant merely by reaching forward and pulling the lever ||8 rearward, i. e. clockwise about the pivot |26, thereby pivoting the coupling 44 counterclockwise to the unlatching position as described above, retracting the locking wedges 36 and 96 from their respective dowels 32 and 30 against the tension of the coil springs 68. At the same time, the detent shoulder 96, is positioned forward of the leading edge of the spring strip |00. While holding the handle ||8 in the unlatching position, the header bar 20 may be raised from the frame I4y permitting downward movement of the spring pressed operator |02 and the spring strip |00. The leading edge of the latter will thus be lowered below the upper portion of the detent shoulder 96 in position to engage the same and prevent return or clockwise movement of the coupling 44 to the latching position upon subsequent release of the handle ||8. Accordingly, the latter may be released immediately after elevating the header 20 a short distance from the frame 14, whereupon the handle ||8 will be returned to the position of Fig. 2, independently of the coupling 44 which is retained in the unlatched position, Fig. 5. The convertible top may then be folded into a compartment at the rear of the vehicle body in accordance with conventional practice.

When it is desired to close the convertible top, the latter is unfolded and brought forward in a closure action from the compartment at the rear of the vehicle until the header 20 snugly abuts the frame |4. In this action the studs 30 and 32 will re-enter their respective openings 3| and 33 within the header base 24. Simultaneously the lower extremity of the nger |02 will engage the pad ||4 and be elevated thereby to the position of Fig. 6, raising the keeper spring |00 to the releasing position above the uppermost tip of the detent shoulder 96 and freeing the latter and integral coupling 44 for clockwise rotation to the latching position as urged by the coil springs 68. Upon clockwise rotation of the coupling 44, the cam flange is moved into interlocking engagement with the notch 86 of the dowel 30 and the locking rods 34 are extended so as to project the Wedge tips 38 into the wedge openings 40 of the dowels 32. Thus, upon closure of the automobile top, the header 20 is automatically locked to the abutment frame I4 without effort or concern upon the part of the operator.

I claim:

1. In a latch means for a convertible top movable between folded and cover positions with respect to a vehicle body, a pair of oppositely shiftable bolt members for latching said top in the cover position, spring means associated with said bolt members for urging the same into latching positions, pivotally mounted coupling means interposed between and pivotally connected to adjacent portions of said bolt members, a pivotally mounted control lever movable from a rest position to pivotally actuate said coupling means and thereby retract said bolt members to their unlatching positions, a detent movable with said coupling means, a keeper member movable into and out of detent holding position for holding the detent in position to maintain said bolt members in their unlatching positions, and a. shiftable member engageable with a part of the vehicle body upon unfolding of the top to the cover position for moving said keeper member out of the detent holding position.

2. In a latch means for a convertible top movable between folded and cover positions with respect to a vehicle body, a pair of oppositely shiftable bolt members for latching said top in the cover position at laterally spaced locations, spring means associated with said bolt members for urging the same into latching positions, a unitary pivotally mounted coupling member interposed between and pivotally connected to adjacent portions of said bolt members, a third bolt member carried by said coupling member and movable therewith into and out of latching position to latch the top at a locality intermediate the irst named bolt members, a pivotally mounted control lever movable from a rest position to pivotally actuate said coupling member and thereby retract said bolt members to their unlatching positions, a detent movable with said coupling member, a keeper member movable into and out of detent holding position for holding the detent in position to maintain said bolt members in their unlatching positions, and a shiftable member engageable with a part of the vehicle body upon unfolding of the top to the cover position for moving said keeper member out of the detent holding position.

3. In a latch means for a convertible top movable between folded and cover positions with respect to a vehicle body. a pair of oppositely shiftable bolt members .for latching said top in the cover position, spring means associated with said bolt members for urging the same into latching positions, pivotally mounted coupling means interposed between and pivotally connected to adjacent portions of said bolt members, a pivotal control lever for said coupling member movable from a rest position to actuate the coupling member to retract said bolt members to their unlatching positions, spring means for automatically urging return of the lever to its rest position, a detent movable with said coupling means, a keeper member movable into and out of detent holding position for holding the detent in position to maintain said boit members in their unlatching positions, and a shiftable member engageable with a part of the vehicle body upon unfolding of the top to the cover position for moving said keeper member out of the detent holding position.

4. In a latch means for a convertible top movable between folded and cover positions with respect to a vehicle body, a pair of oppositely shiftable bolt members for latching said top in the cover position, spring means associated with said bolt members for urging the same into latching positions, pivotally mounted coupling means interposed between and pivotally connected to adjacent portions of said bolt members, a pivotally mounted control lever movable from a rest position to pivotally actuate said coupling means and thereby retract said bolt members to their unlatching positions, a detent 'movable with said coupling means, resilient means movable vertically to or from a detent holding position and having a portion engageable at that position with said detent to hold the same in position to maintain said bolt members in their unlatching positions, and a vertically shiftable member engageable with a part of the vehicle body to be shifted vertically thereby upon unfolding of the top to the cover position and also Aengageable with the resilient means upon being shifted vertically by engagement with the vehicle body to move the latter means out of the detent holding position.

5. In a latch means for a convertible top movable between folded and cover positions with respect to a vehicle body, a pair of oppositely shiftable bolt members for latching said top in the cover position, spring means associated with said bolt members for urging the same into latching positions, pivotally mounted coupling means interposed between and pivotally connected to adjacent portions of said bolt members, a pivotally mounted control lever movable from a rest position to pivotally actuate said coupling means and thereby retract said bolt members to their unlatching positions, a detent movable with said coupling means, vertically shiftable means on the top including a resilient portion and being yieldingly supported at a detent position in the path of movement of said detent to hold said bolt members in their unlatching positions, a portion of said shiftable means engaging said vehicle body to be shifted thereby from the detent position upon unfolding of the top to its cover position into engagement with said body.

6. In a latch means for a convertible top movable between folded and cover positions with respect to a vehicle body, a pair of oppositely shiftable bolt members for latching said top in the cover position, spring means associated with said bolt members for urging the same into latching positions, pivotally mounted coupling means interposed between and pivotally connected to adjacent portions of said bolt members, a pivotally mounted control lever, link means connecting the lever and coupling means to actuate the latter to retract said bolt members to their unlatching positions upon pivoting or" the lever from a rest position, spring means acting on said link means to return the lever to its rest position upon release of the lever, a detent movable with said coupling means, a keeper member movable into and out of detent holding position for holding the detent in position to maintain said bolt members in their unlatching positions, and a shiftable member engageable with a part of the vehicle body upon unfolding of the top to the cover position for moving said keeper member out of the detent holding position.

7. In a latch means for a convertible top movable between folded and cover positions with respect to a vehicle body, a pair of oppositely shiftable bolt members for .litching said top in the cover position, spring means associated with said bolt members for urging the same into latching positions, pivotally mounted coupling means interposed between and pivotally connected to adjacent portions of said bolt members, a pivotally mounted control lever, link means connecting the lever and coupling means to actuate the latter to retract said bolt members to their unlatching positions upon pivoting of the lever from a rest position, spring means yieldingly urging return of the lever to its rest position, a detent movable with said coupling means, vertically shiftable means on the top including a resilient portion and being yieldingly supported at a detent position in the path of movement of said detent to hold said bolt members in their unlatching positions, a portion of said shiftable means engaging said vehicle body to be shifted thereby from the detent position upon unfolding of the top to its cover position into engagement with said body.

8. In a latch means for a convertible top movable between folded and cover positions with respect to a vehicle body, a pair of oppositely shiftable bolt members for latching said top in the cover position, spring means associated with said bolt members for urging the same into latching positions, pivotally mounted coupling means interposed between and pivotally connected to adjacent portions of said bolt members, a pivotally mounted control lever, abutment means movable with the lever and releasably engageable with the coupling means to retract said bolt members to 'their unlatching positions upon pivoting of the lever from a rest position, spring means for returning the abutment means and lever to the rest .position independently of said coupling means,

a detent movable with said coupling means, a keeper member movable into and out of detent holding position for holding the detent in position to maintain said bolt members in their unlatching positions, and a shiftable member engageable with a part of the vehicle body upon unfolding of the top to the cover position for moving said keeper member out of the detent holding position.

9. In a latch means for a convertible top movable between folded and cover positions with respect to a vehicle body, a pair of oppositely shiftable bolt members for latching .said top in the cover position, spring means associated with said bolt members for urging the same into latching positions, pivotally mounted coupling means interposed between and pivotally connected to adjacent portions of said bolt members, a pivotal control lever for said coupling member and movable from a rest position to actuate the coupling member and thereby retract said bolt members to their unlatching positions, and spring means yieldingly urging said lever to its rest position independently of movement of the bolt members from their unlatching positions.

10. In a latch means for a convertible top movable between folded and cover positions with respect to a vehicle body, a pair of oppositely shiftable bolt members for latching said top in the cover position, spring means associated with said bolt members for urging the same into latching positions, pivotally mounted coupling means interposed between and pivotally connected to adjacent portions of said bolt members, a pivotally mounted control lever, link means connecting the lever and coupling means to actuate the latter to retract said bolt members to their` unlatching positions upon pivoting of the lever from a rest position, spring means acting on said link means to return the lever to its rest position upon release of the lever.

11. In combination with latch means for a convertible type vehicle top movable between folded and -cover positions with respect to the vehicle body, the latch means having an abutment and being shiftable to and from a latching position for latching the top in the cover position, resilient means yieldingly urging the latch means to the latching position, means for shifting the latch means from the latching position comprising a manually shiftable control mechanism having a portion releasably engageable with said abutment and shiftable in one direction into driving engagement therewith, a detent movable with the latch means, a keeper movable into and out of detent holding position and engageable thereat with the detent to block shifting of the latch means to the latching position, and a shiftable member engageable with a part of the vehicle upon position for moving the keeper holding position.

out of the detent unfolding of the top to the coverI 12. In combination with latch means for a convertible type vehicle top movable between folded and cover positions with respect to the vehicle body, the latch means having an abutment and being shiftable to and from a latching position for latching the top in the cover position, resilient means yieldingly urging the latch means to the latching position, a manually shiftable control mechanism releasably engageablev with said abutment and shiftable in one direction into driving engagement therewith for shifting the latch means to an unlatching position, said mechanism being movable out of said driving engagement upon shifting oppositely to said one direction, said control mechanism including a handle movable to and from a rest position upon shifting of said mechanism in said one direction or the opposite respectively and being thereby returnable to the rest position independently of movement of the latch means, spring means yieldingly urging the handle to its rest position, a detent movable With the latch means, a keeper movable into and out of detent holding position and engageable thereat with the detent to hold the latch means in the unlatching position, and a shiftable member engageable with a part of the vehicle upon unfolding of the top to the cover position for moving the keeper out of the detent holding position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS France July 24, 1939 

